Khartoum: Minister of Culture, Information, Antiquities and Tourism Khalid Al-Eisir stressed that rewriting Sudan's history is no longer an option but a 'national necessity' for building a new state based on an authentic historical narrative, away from distortions introduced by colonial rule and some foreign writers. Speaking on Saturday at the launch of a book by Dr. Al-Nour Jabir Mohamed Jabir at the Cultural Center in Omdurman, Al-Eisir said the project to review Sudan's history was 'not a passing idea,' but part of the broader effort to reclaim national identity and shape the awareness of future generations.
According to Sudan News Agency, the minister affirmed that Sudan has a unique ethnic, linguistic, and cultural fabric, stressing that this diversity is 'a source of strength, not division.' 'We must harness this diversity to strengthen the state and social cohesion rather than allow it to become a tool for fragmentation,' he said. Al-Eisir explained that his ministry is serving as the 'spearhead of change' through four areas-culture, information, antiquities and tourism-with a focus on supporting writers and researchers documenting Sudan's collective memory.
He announced two new initiatives: the launch of a Ministry of Culture and Information award to honor outstanding researchers and authors documenting Sudanese history, and the restoration of the National Library in Khartoum, including the reactivation of the international standard numbers for books and periodicals to help organize cultural and academic production. The minister also announced efforts to organize the Khartoum International Book Fair, saying, 'Khartoum must regain its status as a capital of reading and knowledge.'
Al-Eisir noted that the ministry had purchased 'tens of thousands of books' from the Cairo International Book Fair in recent months, which are now available at the National Library. He called on Sudanese to return to reading as a means of building awareness. Addressing the current phase, Al-Eisir said that 'the Battle of Dignity, the liberation of the land and the restoration of Sudan's well-being' are a collective responsibility that leaves no room for inaction. He said culture, books and documentation 'are not a luxury, but tools for protecting memory and shaping the future.'